Now my beloved ET-7 is giving only love. The inner detail had increased at such point that I can say, without any doubt, this is my very first hi end sound system. I had a lot of brands before. But never got this. The instruments are crystal clear with the right tonality. Voices are projected in a such way that you can sense the bow at the violin moving up or down. The dynamics at the percussion instruments is very good. You can listen and call when the tip of the drummer is wood or nylon. The brightness of the sound reveals it. The shakers (maracas), you can distinguish that are two...usually one has a lower register than the other. This shows me what the musician is doing with them.

Rebecca Pidgeon, singing Spanish Harlem, Chesky Recording, here you can listen what I am saying about the shakers. Also, this recording shows the speakers cabinet resonances with the voice. I do like a lot my speakers because they are very well isolated and the wood does not act as part of the sound. The guitar is crispy and the piano has a very nice tone too. All the instruments are placed in a very outstanding image.
give it a try. You might like it as I do.

I wish to you a very happy listening, a happy Merry Xmas, and Happy new 2018!
Roberto.

Last edited by roberto on Tue Dec 26, 2017 12:12 am, edited 1 time in total.

I do believe you are right!, I said it wrong... Rebecca is the one who sings My Spanish Harlem...thanks for the clarification...and another recommendation is Jacintha, singing Giorgia of my mind.
The good thing is that there are wonderful recordings, and we can enjoy them everyday.

Congratulations Roberto. The ET7 sounds like a winner. So happy for you.

Hola Joe. Today, the 25th is my birthday. So, I decided to give me a present, and this is the Teddy Pardo linear power supply for my DAC Exasound. I did not expected how good this tweak is. It gave more extension on both ways, highs and lows. The image and stage is wider with more realistic presentation overall. I thought this tweak was not necessary, and how wrong I was! Yes Joe, I am very happy with my new ET-7.

The ET7 is a wonder piece. The sound is just right. The lack of distortion, and coloration is something that I do like a lot. This new preamp had brought to me new standards. It has a sweet sound but it will not make you sick of it. It is a mellow sound overall. The strings are very interesting. The cello shines.

I really recommend it for a serious listening. If you have a chance to listen to it, please give us your impressions.
Happy listening!

Last edited by roberto on Thu Dec 28, 2017 1:07 am, edited 1 time in total.

Joe, you can not go wrong with it. It is designed by the topology of the Gat Series 2. This is what C-J says about the ET7: ET7 Enhanced-Triode Preamplifier.
The ET7 enhance triode line-stage preamplifier has been designed to incorporate the advances made with the Series 2 upgrade to our flagship GAT into a more affordable model.
The circuitry of the ET7 follows closely that of the GAT Series 2. The audio circuit is elegant in its simplicity. An audio amplifier stage consisting of a single-ended triode amplifier provides the voltage gain. This amplifier stage is connected to the preamplifier outputs through a high-current MOSFET buffer, which achieves a very low output impedance, making the ET7 extremely flexible in the choice of interconnect cables and amplifiers. DC voltage is supplied to the circuit by the revised discrete voltage regulator developed for the GAT Series 2. It isolates the audio circuit from the power line by maintaining negligible impedance across the audio frequency band. Infra-sonic noise is minimized by operating the tube filaments (heaters) on a dc voltage supplied by a separate regulated power supply.

The ET7 also boasts the GAT’s convenience and ease of use. The unit features input selection and level adjustment by microprocessor-controlled relays, with controls available both at the front panel and via a full-function remote. All control functions of the ET7 operate through microprocessor-controlled relays. For the level control, the relays select combinations from a network of precision, low-noise metal foil resistors to effect loudness and balance changes in 100 steps of approximately .7dB per step. All switching and adjustment can be controlled by the unit’s remote control. A Theater Mode, which passes the input signal through at unity gain, makes it simple to incorporate the ET7 into a high quality home theater system without compromising its two-channel performance.

Like its bigger brother, the GAT Series 2, the ET7 is constructed from the highest quality, carefully selected parts for unrivaled sonic performance and reliability. Tubes have been selected for minimum noise and microphonics. CJD Teflon capacitors are used in the ET7 for output coupling and post-regulator power supply storage. The resistors in these circuits (including the two dozen level control resistors) are special low inductance, high-precision laser-trimmed metal foil resistors. Switches are sealed relays with gold-plated silver contacts. Input and output connectors are premium quality custom machined parts.

For four decades, the conrad-johnson design team has been dedicated to creating audio components that do credit to music performances. Through meticulous engineering, careful specification of only the finest available component parts, and a painstaking attention to construction, we have created what we feel is a line-stage without rival in its class. We invite you to arrange an audition of the ET7 with your conrad-johnson dealer to experience the extraordinary musical performance of this remarkable preamplifier.

Did you have the chance to listen the new ET-7? Mine is giving tons of pure love. I can't get enough of it. The sound is pure quality. I wonder how good would be to have the Gat-2. The ET-7 is fantastic. I hope you liked it as I do. Please, tell us your findings about it.

Yes, I have. To my ears, both preamps are winners. The ET-7 exhibits a little bit more control of the signal...but they are very close. Gee, these preamps are very good. Perhaps ET-7 is like faster. The harmonic texture on both are very good. This is in my system. It is not the best system of the world, but I can hear easy nuances that in other systems I do not get them. I do like to have the musician(s) at the stage, with communication between them,, and also a sense of 3D. The ET-5 was a little more like lay back presentation of the stage...a little more defused.

It is a difficult question. My liking is more toward the ET-7. But I could live with the sound quality of the ET-5 of course. I think that the sound is a matter of liking. What I do like, perhaps it is not your liking. I assure you that I do like the organic sound of the musical instruments. The wood singing in a clarinet, or the cello with beautiful natural resonances. The sweet sound of a classical guitar, or the air in a trumpet or sax. The voices are projected to the room easy on both preamps. You should listen to both, and choose the one that you liked most.

If you could do the comparison, please tell us your findings. I do believe that you can't go wrong with any of them. Love them both!
Happy listening!

A friend of mine has been gradually upgrading his system. Last summer he upgraded from a MacCormack 250 to a C-J MF-2550SE. This upgrade was at the time to our ears spectacular. Last week he upgraded from a C-J CT-5 to the ET-7. If anything, this upgrade is even more impressive.

The ET-7 brings more detail, focus, better harmonic integrity, better bass, better dynamic range, lower noise and a palpable presentation of music that compels listening for many hours. The first night we installed it, we listened past midnight, something we haven't done in a long time.

Hola Sounds2Good,
And please wait for the total break in time. The change that I had in the last hours was very impressive. At the plateau, the sense of 3D changed for good like a marvel puzzle. Everything start to melt, giving a solid stage with the communication that you spect with the musicians at the platform. Plus just quality sound in every aspect. Quality and robust bass, noise floor, easy to use, the volume control adjusts only + or - .7dB, so the level can be adjusted at your preference, easy. Crystal clear highs, the cymbals are dancing in the air, with the metal tone that they do have! and the piano musical notes are projected understanding both hands playing it. You can understand every kind of musical instrument with staguering precision!

Please tell your friend that the ET-7 is a shining jewel in the system, but I do believe that he already knows that!
Happy listening!

HAHAHAHAHA, good for you! I can make a statement as before: my system has never sound before as it is right now with the ET-7 and the Classic 120SE. Everyday, I get goosebumps, and still find passages on music that was there, but never like this. Every musical instrument has an incredible precision, with the right dynamics. And the stage is wide with a truly sense of 3D!. The size of the instruments are very well projected in my room, with outstanding harmonic texture. You will be soon in heaven, as I am now!
Well done my friend!
PM to me, because I have something that I would like to share with you.
Happy listening!

Last edited by roberto on Fri Mar 02, 2018 12:47 am, edited 2 times in total.

Have to agree with Roberto on the ET7. Only change I made was to remove the ET5. ET7 jumps out at me with sounds I never heard before. Sometimes startles me, the image is so far into the room. Dynamics and clarity are stunning.Noise floor is also lower on my highly efficient speakers which is an added bonus. ET7 is a winner!

My ET-7 is giving to me love, and has not stopped to ripe. It is still under breaking period, because it is changing for good every day. I am listening more sweeter sound, and easy smooth play back. It shines with classical music or jazz. Also likes to play not too many instruments. Camera music is more relaxing and revealing than big orchestras or symphonic music. Don't get wrong here...symphonic music is great, but much better camera music...do you have the same thing on your system? Which is your favorite musical instrument? Vocals are the best!, specially female voices. On concertos, all the instruments, like cello, violin, clarinet, piano, Spanish guitar, you name it.

I listen to all types of music. No rap or hip hop I must clarify! I find in my system it does not matter. From classical to rock its all amazing. In my system the ET7 was great right from the start. My amps are aged,so maybe break in time not as dramatic. Simply great sounding. The upgrade is similar to the change in the GAT1 to the GAT2. Everything a bit more clear, dynamic, open, and lower noise floor. Thinking that new matching amps may be my next move! CJ is on a great path with this circuit. I have been a CJ user for 30+ years and they are on a roll. Simply fabulous.
Enjoy your listening, I'm sure you will.

Ah!, the marvellous and wonder of the music. I do listen all type of music, less Regueton. Folk, jazz, classical, easy listening, and this is amazing. I just can´t get enough...I love what I am listening. Discovering a lot of new things in my old music...I did not realized what I was missing, until now. I am that happy.
Enjoy your music and happy listening!